2000 wins is a difficult goal for any manager. That’s why barely a dozen men have reached her. That’s why 10 of them are in the Hall of Fame.
Dusty Baker, popular manager of the Houston Astros, accomplished the feat this week, joining an exclusive club made up of many of the top managers in MLB history.
As the only player to have led five different teams to the postseason and the first African American to reach 2,000 wins, Baker is a historic manager who enjoys almost unanimous appreciation from players, colleagues, executives and journalists who work in the industry.
Although he continues in search of a World Series crown that has eluded him during his managerial stage, we understand that Baker has already accumulated enough merits to enter the Hall of Fame, where he would join the 10 members of the “Club 2000 ” who are already immortal, from Connie Mack and Tony Larussa to Walter Alston and Leo Durocher, including John McGraw, Bobby Cox, Joe Torre, Sparky Anderson, Bucky Harris and Joe McCarthy.
Bruce Bochy, who has 2003 wins and three championships, still doesn’t have his place in Cooperstown. However, he should enter as soon as he announces his official withdrawal.
Before starting his managerial career, Baker had an outstanding career as a player. He was a disciple of Hank Aaron in his early days with the Atlanta Braves, having the honor of being the on-deck hitter when Aaron hit the home run that broke Babe Ruth’s career record on April 8, 1974. .
Traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers after the 1975 season, Baker appeared in three World Series and was an integral part of the 1981 championship team.
After concluding his active career wearing the uniforms of Oakland and San Francisco, Baker began his coaching career in 1988 with the Giants.
Five years later, he replaced Roger Craig as manager of that team, which led to the 2002 World Series. He has also been to the playoffs with the Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati, Washington and the Astros.
Excellent service record that, although he has not been crowned with a championship, has enough merits to make him an immortal in baseball.
